Escape hatch



Marezh 12, 1946.

N. HEFFNER ET AL ESCAPE HATCH Filed Aug. 12, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet l 4 36NF? THFIN EFFNER a 37 34 36 v I in 5/mu/v LZ HE'FFNER' V INVENTQRS 1MLFJM ATTORNEY March 12, 1946.

N.'HEFFNER ET AL ESCAPE HATCH Fil ed Aug. 12, 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 NF!ITHHN HEFFNER m m F E, H U N D m 5 a m ATTORNEY March 12; 1946. Y N,HEFFNER ET AL 2,396,508

ESCAPE HATCH Filed Aug. 12. 1943 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 NH THFIN HEF'FNER'5/mL7/v 7. HEF'F'NER INVENTORS W W 1M0 ATTO R N EY Patented Mar. 12,1946 UNITED STATES PATET OFFICE ESCAPE HATCH Nathan Hefiner, Brooklyn,and Simon 0. Heffner, Great Neck, N. Y.

6 Claims.

This invention relates generally to hatches and more particularly toquick operating hatches especially useful for the escape of seamen fromthe quarters in which they may become accidentally entrapped.

As is 'well known in the nautical field, when, owing to accident orattack in war, aportion of the ship becomes flooded or afire, so thatthe normal exit from a room or through a bulkhead is obstructed, it isdesirable that some additional exit or exits be provided, such exitsbein located in opposite walls or bu1kheads,.or communicating withdifierent companionways or passages from those which are effected by theobstructing conditions. Where the deck or outermost side wall portionsof the hull are adjacent or adjoining, it is desirable that theseauxiliary exits communicate therewith or lead directly out thereon.

As a result of concussion, shock, water, or

noxious gases, caused by combustion or otherwise, the occupants of theparticular chamber, room, or hold, may be dazed, partially asphixiated,or otherwise physically incapacitated, so that it is desirable that theescape hatches'provided be easily operated and be of such a simplenature in the operation thereof that they may be successfully openedunder the most adverse conditions.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide novel and highly useful escape hatch constructions which may beprefabricated as a unit and installed in any desired wall or bulkhead ofa ship merely by cutting the requisite sized opening in the wall orbulkhead and securing the escape hatch in place.

Another object herein lies. in the provision of a structure of the classdescribed which, while of relatively light weight, possesses adequatestrength so that the same may, when desired, be positioned upon theouter hull or deck of the ship upon which it is. installed.

Another object herein lies in the provision of escape hatch structure inwhich the opening thereof may be substantially instantaneouslyperformed, so as not to hinder the escape of the occupant or occupantsunder extremely hazardous conditions.

A feature of the present invention lies inthe fact that the escape hatchmay be operated by a simple pulling or pushing operation, as the casemay be, and in which the operation thereof is: made so obviousv to theuser that he. may successfully accomplish hisv escape even though he maybe in a below-normal physical condition.

55 escape hatch, generally indicated by numeral In accordance with thepresent invention, struc-- ture is disclosed wherein, where the escapehatch has the outer portion thereof accessible to a companionway,passage, or other area likely to be occupied or reached by other personsthan the pended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters designatecorresponding parts throughout the several views of each embodiment:

Figure l is a fragmentary front elevational view of a first embodimentof the invention.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 2-2 onFigure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view through a bulkhead showing thefirst embodiment of the invention as installed in a generally verticalposition.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through a portion of deckshowing the first embodiment of the invention in a generally horizontalinstallation.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view partly in sectionshowing the details of the stuffing box of the first embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of a second embodimentof the invention.

Figure '7 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a third embodimentof the invention.

Figure 8 is a vertical sectional View as seen from the plane 8--8' onFigure '7.

Figure 9 is a vertical sectional view corresponding to Figure 2 butshowing certain of the parts in an altered position thereof.

Figure 10 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the right handportion of Figure 10 but shows certain of the parts in an alteredposition thereof.

Turning now to the first embodiment of the inventlon illustrated inFigures 1-5, inclusive, the

comprises broadly a hatch cover element II; a coaming element I2; andlatching, compression, and openin mechanism, generally indicated byreference character I3.

The coaming element may be of any suitable general size, but theeffective internal diameter thereof is preferably suflicient to allowthe passage therethrough of a person aboard ship, or other structureupon which the hatch I is used. We have found that the length of any ofthe top, bottom and side walls of the coaming element I2 may be variedbetween eighteen and twenty-four inches with satisfactory exit. The

top, bottom and side walls of the coaming element I2 are indicated bynumerals I4, I5, I6 and I1, respectively. The coaming element ispreferably composed of sheet steel. Secured to the inner surfaces of theopposed side walls I6 and I1 are the latching lugs I9-2I, inclusive.These lugs may be in the form of steel blocks, and may be integratedwith the inner surface of said coaming element in any suitable manner,as for example, by welding. The front or active surfaces 22-25, on thelugs I 8-2I, respectively, are preferably flat and in a common plane.The outer surfaces of the walls I4-I1, are provided with a mountingflange 26 which may suitably be secured thereto, for example, bywelding. As best seen in Figure 2, the position of the flan e 26determines the ultimate amount of projection of the cover element I Iwith relation to the deck of bulkhead 21. Where the front surface 28 ofthe flange 25 is in contact with a wood deck or bulkhead, the same maybe secured thereto in watertight connection by using a canvas and redlead gasket (not shown) between the surface 28 and the top surface ofthe deck or rear surface of the bulkhead, as the case may be, andsuitable bolts. Where the flange 26 is in contact with a steel bulkhead,said flange may be welded to the bulkhead.

It may thus be seen that in order to mount the coaming element I2 it isonly necessary to cut an orifice of corresponding size in the deck orbulkhead upon which the coaming element is to be mounted and to securethe same in place by the engagement of the outer surfaces of the top,bottom and side walls of the coaming with the bordering edges of thesaid orifice; and by securing the flange radially extending from theouter surfaces of said walls to the deck or bulkhead, as the case maybe.

The hatch cover element I I is preferably composed of sheet steel andincludes an outer forwardly extending peripheral flange 29. The flange29 may be integral with the body 30 and may be formed by bending theedge of said body through ninety degrees. The cover element II isprovided with an annular rim gasket3l which may be composed of anysuitable material adapted to promote a water-tight seal against the rearedge 32 of the coaming element I2 when said cover element II isuncompressed. We have found that the gasket 3I may be composed ofimpregnated flax or rubber. The gasket 3| lS maintained in place by agasket retainer 33. The retainer 33 may be in the form of an annularband positioned so as to be spaced and substantially parallel to theinner surfaces of the flange 29. The retainer 33 may be secured to thefor ward surface of the body 30 in any suitable manner, as for example,by welding and is preferably slightly angularly disposed with relationto the flange 29 so a to converge forwardly toward the flange 29. Thisconstruction forms a channel having a narrowed mouth or annular openingwithin which the gasket 3I is maintained by compression. Thus, the rimgasket 3| as maintained in position between the flange 29 and theretainer 33 is under a primary compression and when the cover element IIis in the closed, or coaming-engaged position thereof, said gasket 3I issubjected to a secondary compression, as will more fully appearhereinafter.

The hatch cover element II may be hingedly connected to the coamingelement I2, for example by means of the hinges 34 and 35. Since thehinges 34 and 35 are substantially identical, a detailed description ofone will suflice for both. As best seen in Figure 2 of the accompanyingdrawings, the hinge 34 includes a pair of relatively stationary members36 and a relatively movable member 31. The members 36 are secured in anysuitable manner to the rear surface 38 of mounting flange 26, as forexample, by welding. The member 31 is secured to the rear surface 39 ofthe body 30 in any suitable manner, as for example, by welding and ispivotally connected to the members 36 by means of a doubleheaded pin 40.The pin 40 penetrates a round orifice in the member 31 and elongatedorifices M in the members 36. The elongated orifices 4I permit the hatchcover element I I to shift in position slightly so that the forwardsurface of the gasket 3| may properly line-up with the rear edge 32 ofthe coaming element I2.

The body 30 of the hatch cover element II is provided with a stuffingbox 42 which is preferably secured thereto by mounting the same in anorifice in said body and welding or brazing the outer cylinder 43thereto. This construction is shown in detail in Figure 5. The cylinder43 is provided in the forward portion thereof with a bushing 44preferably composed of brass and having an external diametersubstantially equal to the internal diameter of the cylinder 43, andhaving an internal diameter substantially equal to the diameter of therod 45. The rear or outer end of the cylinder 43 has a cap 46 inthreaded engagement therewith. Disposed within the cap 46 and thecylinder 43 is a gland 41 preferably composed of brass. A flax or othersuitable packing 48 is positioned about the rod 45, within the cylinder43 and between the bushing 44 and the gland 4'I'. The compression uponthe packing 48 sufficient to maintain the rod 45 in slidable watertightconnection with the stufling box 42 is obtained b rotating the cap 46.The latching, compression, and opening mechanism generally indicated byreference character I3, includes a pair of latching members 49 and 50which are fixedly interconnected in direct spaced and parallelarrangement by the tie-bars 5| and 52. The latching members at the outerextremities thereof are provided with end surfaces 53, 54, 55, and 56which are adapted to engage with the latching lugs I8, I9, 20, and 2|,respectively.

We have found that adequate strength of the parts, and a reduction inweight i obtained by forming the latching members of tubing, so thatthese members are hollow throughout the length thereof. The ends of thetie-bars 5I and 52 are preferably rigidly secured to the opposedsurfaces of the latching members 49 and 50 in any suitable manner, asfor example, by welding. The thus integrated structure of the latchingmembers 49 and 50 and the tie-bars 5| and 52, hereinafter referred to asthe latchin element 51, is shiftable vertically, as shown in Figures 1,2, and 9,

in an arcuate path of travel with the element 51 being positionable in aseries of planes generally parallel to the body 39 or the rear edge 32of the coaming element I2.

The links 59, 60, 58, and 64 are pivotally mounted at the rear endsthereof upon brackets generally indicated by numeral 62, forwardlyprojecting from the front surface of the body 30 and suitably securedthereto in any manner, as for example by welding. Said last mentionedlinks ar pivotally connected at the forward ends thereof to the tie-barsand 52, adjacent the extremitie thereof. The upper ends of the tiebars5| and 52 are provided with extensions -63 and 64 which serve totrunnion the pins 65 and 56 so that a freely operating pivotal joint isprovided. The lower ends of the tie-bars 5| and 52 are provided withextensions 6 and 58 which serve to trunnion the pins 69 and In so that afreely operating pivotal joint is provided. A pair of bell crank leversII and 12 are loosely pivotally secured at the lower rear ends thereofto a pair of brackets, generally indicated by numeral I3, and at theupper ends thereof are interconnected by a bar I4. The levers H and f2are generally 'L shaped and the arms thereof preferably form an angle ofslightly more than ninety degrees. The levers 'II and I2 at theintersection of the arms thereof are loosely pivotally connected to thetie-bars 5| and 52 by the pins 15 and 15. The inner ends of the pins 15and 16 are trunnioned in the upper ends of the extensions 61 and 68. Theloose pivotal connection at the pins 15 and I6 and at the lower rear endof the levers II and I2 is to compensate for the difference in arcuatetravel of the forward ends of the links 586I and the short arms of saidlevers. The extensions 61 and 68 connect with the tie-bars 5| and 52 bythe stays l1 and 18. As seen in Fig. 9 rearward movement of bar 14causes levers II and "I2 to swing about the axis of the pivotalconnection to the bracket 12 and elevate the latching element. The bar"I4 may have secured to the forward surface thereof a push plate '19 andto permit operation of the escape hatch ID by-even the uninitiated, theplate 19 may carry suitable indicia, such as the word Push and in orderto permit the same to be legible even under adverse lighting conditions,said indicia may be in the form of luminous paint. Since the axis ofrotation of the hatch cover element II as a unit, is about the pins 40,the pressure upon the plate 19 which is sufiicient to disengage thelatching element 5'! from the lugs 5355, inclusive, is ample to push thehatch cover element It so that the center of gravity thereof isrearwardly of a vertical plane passing through the pins 40. The hatchcover element will now swing downwardly and rearw'ardly by the action ofgravity so as to clear the passage throughlthe coaming element I2. Theplate I9 is provided with a central orifice 8| adapted to receive theeye 82 at the forward end of the rod 45 which encircles the bar I4. Theeye 82 has an elongated orifice 12 in contact with the gasket 3| and tomove the bar T4 in a counter-"clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 9which will bring the parts to the position show-n in Figurev 2. To placethe gasket 31 under greater compression or to compensate for wear insaid gasket, only further counterclockwise movement of the bar I4 (awayfrom the body 30) is necessary because when the links 58 and 59 (inFigure 2) drop down from their horizontal perpendicular positions theypull the members 49 and '50 toward the body 30.

Turning now to the second embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigure 6, for the purpose of avoiding needless repetition, partscorresponding to the first embodiment are given the same referencecharacter with the addition of the numeral 1 as a prefix. In thisembodiment it will be seen that the hatch cover plate III is adapted formounting flush with the deck for use 'as a water-tight deck hatch. Forthis purpose the coaming element H2 is mounted in a depressed positionand the mounting flange I2-B is of double angled construction. Theoutermost portion of the flange I26 is secured in any suitable manner toan annular ledge I85, which may be suitably secured to the under-surfaceof the deck I86 in any suitable manner, as for example, by welding. Byvirtue of this construction the body I30 of the cover element 1 H issubstantially planar with the exception of the well I81. The flange I29may be constructed similarly to the gasket retainer I33 and may besecured to the under-surface of the body I30 in any suitable manner. Theconvergence toward each other of the flange "I29 and the retainer I33serve to properly secure the gasket I31 in operative position,

It is preferable that in this construction 11 hinges be used, though, ofcourse, where desired, they may be incorporated, so that an upward pullon the handle 84 or an upward push on the bar I74 or plate I19 willdisengage the latching element I51 so that the .cover element III may belifted or pushed clear of the opening through the coaming element II 2.

In Figure 10 the position of link I59, the member 50 and the extension61 is shown when the gasket I3I is under extreme pressure, a positiontaken when the bar H4 is pulled down in a counterclockwise direction asviewed in Figure 6.

Turning now to the third embodiment of the invention illustrated inFigures '7 and 8, here again for the purpose of avoiding needlessrepetition, parts corresponding to the first embodiment of theinventionare given the same reference character with the addition of the numeral2 as a prefix.

As shown in Figure '7, the latching members 249 and 25B are verticallyarranged and associated structure is correspondingly positioned, Thisembodiment differs from the first embodiment principall in the openingof the hatch being accomplished by pulling on the bar 214 and in theelimination of the means for actuating the latching, compression, andopening mechanism from th rear surface 239 of the body 230.

Thus as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the present escape hatches ma be usedon horizontal surfaces such as decks, or on vertical surfaces such asbulkheads. The escape hatches may be repetitively operated for test andtrial purposes since the re-seating of the hatch cover element to itsoriginal closed position requires merely the replacement of the coverelement so that the asket seats against the rear or outer rim' or edgeof the coaming element and the movement of the operating handle on oneside of the cover plate or the other, as the case may be, to itsoriginal position or beyond to fully compress the gasket and obtain aleak proof seal thereat. By virtue of the compound leverage effect, theconsequent mechanical advantage obtained, provides for sufficientpressure even when only manual pressure or pull is exerted on theparticular operating handle. Y

It may thus be seen that we have provided a novel and useful escapehatch construction which is simple and foolproof in operation and iscapable of satisfactory performance over long periods of time and underadverse conditions. The combination construction may be fabricated as aunit and may be installed aboard ship by merely cutting the requisitesized opening to receive the coaming element and suitably securing themounting flange in connection with the border of said opening.Relatively little physical strength is required to open or close thehatch and to actuate the latching mechanism. This feature is especiallyadvantageous since it may be necessary to actuate the closure and toopen the same under extremely adverse conditions. In those embodimentsof our invention in which the cover plate may be opened from either thefront or rear surfaces thereof, it becomes possible to reach entrappedmen, who are, by reason of injury, unable to reach or actuate the escapehatch, and to remove them through the hatch after the same has beenopened,

We wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to theexact'details of construction shown and described, for obviousmodifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.

We claim:

1. In an escape hatch including a coaming element and a hatch coverelement; latching means disposed within the coaming element fordetachably attaching said hatch cover element to said coaming element;said means including a lug on the coaming element and a latching memberon the hatch cover element, said member being movably supported by apair of links each having two ends, one end of each of said links beingpivotally connected to said latching member and the remaining end ofeach ofsaid links being pivotally connected to the hatch cover element.

2. For use with an escape hatch including a coaming element; a hatchcover element; latching means disposed within the coaming element fordetachably attaching said cover element to said coaming element; saidmeans'including a lug on the coaming element and a latching member onthe hatch cover element; said latching member having an end surfaceengageable with said lug and facing the said cover element, and

being movably supported by a pair of links, each having two ends, oneend of each of said links being pivotally connected to said latchingmember and the remaining end of each of said links being pivotallyconnected to the cover element; and second means to prevent rotation ofsaid latching member about itself whereby said end surface may alwaysengage said lug.

3. For use with an escape hatch a coaming element having a passage and ahatch cover element adapted in a closed position thereof to obstructsaid passage and in an open position thereof to clear said passage,latching means comprising: a plurality of stationary lugs secured to thecoaming element; a latching element composed of a plurality of latchingmembers in fixed position with relation to each other and each beingdisposed adjacent a corresponding one of said lugs; a plurality of linksspaced and parallel with respect to each other, each of said links beingpivotally connected at one end thereof to said hatch cover element andat the other end thereof to said latching element, whereby the latchingelement is capable of arcuate movement simultaneously as a unit towardand away from said hatch cover element and laterally of said hatch coverelement; said lugs and latching members being so positioned with respectto each other that when the hatch cover element and the coaming elementare in a closed position the latching members begin to engage the lugswhen the latching members are most distant from the hatch cover element.

4. Structure as claimed in claim 3 including means to move the latchingelement comprising a substantially L shaped lever having one arm thereofpivotally connected to the hatch cover element and the apex of saidlever connected to the latching element.

5. Structure as claimed in claim 3 including means to move the latchingelement comprising a substantially L shaped lever having one arm thereofpivotally connected to the hatch cover element, and an extensionpivotally connected to the apex of the L shaped lever and pivotallyconnected to the latching element.

6. An escape hatch construction as claimed in claim 3 including means tomove the latching element comprising a substantially L shaped leverhaving one arm thereof pivotally connected to the hatch cover element,and an extension pivotally connected to the apex of the L shaped leverand pivotally connected to the latching element; and a reciprocableactuating rod slidably penetrating the hatch cover element and slidablyconnected to the other arm of the L shaped lever.

NATHAN HEFFNER. SIMON O. HEFFNER.

